Tomas Rosicky warns Arsenal's top-four rivals they have turned season around

Tomas Rosicky warned Arsenal’s top-four rivals that they have turned their
season around after scoring a rare double that eased doubts about his future
just weeks after he expressed frustration over life on the first-team
fringes.

At the double: Tomas Rosicky scored twice for Arsenal as they kept their bid for a top-four finish alive at West BromPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Manager Arsène Wenger is already thinking of keeping Rosicky beyond the season despite the midfielder’s injury-hit campaign and interest in him from abroad. The Czech ­Republic captain signed a two-year deal in March 2012, but this was only his second Premier League start this season.

Rosicky took advantage of the opportunity, with Jack Wilshere injured, by giving a technically impressive midfield performance in a more central role that drove Arsenal on. It was capped off by his headed opener and thumping second goal. Despite Per Mertesacker’s 70th-minute sending-off, Arsenal held on, meaning that they are setting their sights on third place.

“If we continue like this, I am confident we will get in the Champions League,” Rosicky said. “The fans are desperate to end the season above Tottenham and we are as well. We’re on the same page as that.

“Everyone wants to play and I am very glad to contribute again. It’s difficult when you are not playing.”

There was talk of Arsenal being in crisis when they lost at Tottenham last month – but victory at Bayern Munich started their ongoing, four-match winning run.

Rosicky said: “It always gives you confidence when you win in Munich. And, when you have a difficult game like here, where in the last 20 minutes you’ve got your backs against the wall it gives you a big lift.”

Rosicky said that the flak Arsenal have had to overcome created a siege mentality. “People having their opinion is absolutely fine. But sometimes it’s just about the team itself. Every day, you have to fight for your club. Sometimes it’s not easy when you see and hear what is going on around – but that’s what you’ve got to do.”

The 32-year-old playmaker’s ­quality on the ball was a reminder about why he has been in Wenger’s squad since 2006 and follows his heroics at a similar stage of last season. But there were other less typical aspects of his performance that caught the eye, such as a vital defensive header off the line in the opening stages and a sliding tackle later that led to him being booked. His hunger was unquestionable.

Wenger said: “He is such an important player for us. He is not a goal-scorer and it was a special game for him because he scored two. But the most important thing is that he scores them when you need them.”

Discussing Arsenal’s run-in – and the chance to play a day earlier than Tottenham and Chelsea, who have Europa League commitments – Wenger said: “Playing on a Saturday is fantastic when you win. When you lose, it’s a disaster. But, as long as we win, it’s always better for me to play, if you can, before.”

Wenger said that there was no threat of his players becoming complacent while Tottenham are without injured key man Gareth Bale. “We do not want to focus on these kinds of things. What is important is we look at ourselves, win our games and do not expect any weaknesses from our opponents. That would be the wrong attitude.”

Their mentality was strong late on against West Bromwich, who rued missed chances after James Morrison’s penalty. Defender Jonas Olsson said: “Everyone was fighting and trying for 95 or 96 minutes to get something. We want to stay in the top, six, seven eight. We have been there all season and don’t want to let it slip away.”